Motor Oil for Classic Cars

[BackInBlack]

What motor oil to you guys use?  I thought this was a simple question a few days ago, but things have changed.  I bought my 77 Trans Am in 1986 and have pretty much used the same oil every year - Valvoline or Pennzoil 10w-40.  When I went to buy it over the weekend, I couldn't find it.  I searched some auto stores on the internet and they carried it on-line, along with Castrol 10w-40, but the Napa and O'Reilly sites both said that the oil "Does not fit your 1977 Firebird", with no further explanation.  What??  Going down the rabbit hole, I found out that the motor oils of the '70's, '80's and '90's included an additive that has since been removed - Zinc dialkyldithiophosphate, also referred to as Zinc or ZDDP.  Apparently, the older engines need this additive, especially for the cams.  A couple auto stores carry Lucas "Hot Rod & Classic" oil, which contains zinc, but the guys at some site I visited (maybe Bob the oil guy) claim that it contains too much zinc.  I also found that you can buy a ZDDP oil additive.  Any thoughts and/or suggestions?  Thanks

[71455formula]

I run standard Castrol 10-40 or 10-50 with the Lucas zddp oil additive. I add bottle at oil changes.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/luc-10063-1

[nUcLeArEnVoY]

Pontiac 400 here.

I spoil mine.

Amsoil Z-ROD full synthetic 10W-30. It's formulated for classic cars and has a top-tier amount of zinc additive. It's not cheap, though. 6 quarts comes to around $70 shipped.

I'm pretty sure my motor had a relatively recent rebuild. It's clean on the inside, doesn't burn oil, and there's no blowby.

[Johnny ace]

I use Havoline10w30 for high
mileage (over75k miles) in my 65.I always add a bottle of stp oil treatment.it has zddp in it.ive used this for 25 years.

[737driver]

I started using Driven HR1 15w-50w. It is designed for use it classic engines, has a lot of ZDDP ( zinc additive).  They sell it in different grades ( 10-40, 10-30) and have synthetic versions as well. It was recommended to me from my engine builder.
Jim

[Jur5664]

I am using synthetic 5W50 + ZDDP, for a long time (70k miles)

[djustice]

I usuually use a full synt 10w40  usually Royal Purple HPS. This year i tried someting different as i am in europe and Royal Purple is like 24 dollars a quart here.
After much reading of used/virgin oil analysis over on european and russian oilforums i landed on Liqui Moly SYNTHOIL HIGH TECH 5W-40 , it has 1250 PPM zinc and over 1000 PPM phosphorus. Confirmed by 2x independet labratory analasis.
So far so good, i think there is less valve/engine noise.
and the good part about it beeing produced in germany is that the cost for me is about slashed in half versus the royal purple.

[darrylta]

I've been advised to try Driven GP-1 10w30 engine oil.
Has anyone here used it before?
Thanks,
Darryl

[79WS6TA]

I use Valvoline VR-1 High Zinc racing oil.

[firebirdparts]

I noticed on the shelf locally that they have started carrying that Liqumoly here in the USA.  The container is very strange compared to the rest of the products we get, so when I saw it I knew it something altogether new.  it's good to know that somebody has already checked the zinc level.

[NCBadBird1979]

I use Brad Penn or Valveline ZR1 Racing Oil in my '79 with Pontiac 400

[itllfly]

I use shell rotella diesel oil for the zinc after much research and mechanic friend input

[banditt1979]

I've been using Lucas hot rod oil in my 455. Have also used brad penn.

[glenn911]

5 qts of rotella 15-40 and a bottle of STP. 

[tiggershark]

I use Valvoline VR-1 High Zinc racing oil.

I do too. Just switched from Brad Penn to Valvoline. Its available most everywhere.

[jk79ta]

Interesting! I went to walmart this afternoon to buy some Penzoil 10w30 for my 79 w/ a 75 400 in it. Looked all over and all I saw was synthetic. Asked the guy behind the counter if this is all that's being made or just a walmart thing. Got a lecture and bottom line is according to him they are only making synthetic now. Anyone know if this is true? Don't really want to switch but may have to I guess. If I do, what is the recommendation for doing so?

Joe

[5th T/A]

I recently did the first oil change on my new engine at 500 miles. I talked to the builder Butler Performance and asked for recommendations on oil and filters. They recommend Driven motor oil 15-50W and only Wix oil filters. The oil is expensive, but I look at it as cheap insurance.

There are lots of other oils with Zinc additives out there. Most new car manufacturers are leaning towards synthetic oils, so that’s what most retailers stock. My local retailers still stock plenty of non-synthetic oils.

[tiggershark]

Interesting! I went to walmart this afternoon to buy some Penzoil 10w30 for my 79 w/ a 75 400 in it. Looked all over and all I saw was synthetic. Asked the guy behind the counter if this is all that's being made or just a walmart thing. Got a lecture and bottom line is according to him they are only making synthetic now. Anyone know if this is true? Don't really want to switch but may have to I guess. If I do, what is the recommendation for doing so?

Joe

He is horribly uninformed. You need a high zinc oil, plenty listed in this thread. Go to a NAPA or a local parts store. Autozone, Advance Auto, Walmart etc are not the sharpest knives in the drawer.

[b_hill_86]

This isn’t the first time I’ve heard of this actually. It was discussed over at PY also. Rather than a complete phase out though it may be more likely that it becomes kind of a specialty item. For instance, trying to find a GL4 rated gear oil proved to be difficult for me locally. Can’t imagine it’s a very common item to need anymore so every place nearby carries GL5. I had to order some online. So maybe that’s the route it’s heading. Hard telling.

[jk79ta]

Well, after searching walmart, autozone, napa and advance auto with no luck, ended up getting conventional penzoil at home depot of all places! And fairly cheap! Almost half of what napa wanted. The other places didn't even carry it! Eventually I'll probably have to switch to synthetic but for now I'm good for another year!

[restlessgypsy]

I have used Brad Penn, ( the green oil ) Lucas hotrod oil 20w50 but currently Rotella 15w40 with just a little added Zddp. I only use Wix or K& N filters. Running a Crower flat tappet cam, had I had it to do over again, it would have gotten a roller cam .
.